Finally, New Life for the Former Home of Louisa’s as Otter Bar Lands

The former home of Louisa’s, the sorely missed Eastlake bar that has sat empty since December, will finally see new life as Otter Bar and Burger lands on Friday, August 4 at 2 p.m. The restaurant, which is owned by the Blue Water Taco Grill group, is named not for the adorable mammal, but for a propellor plane. (Oddly enough, it’s the second plane-themed bar to open in the past year, with Fremont’s Bar Charlie also on that track.)

The restaurant design incorporates airplane elements, as does the burger-heavy menu, developed by Otter Bar’s general manager, Zephyr Paquette, and posted below. The De Havilland Dip, named for the maker of the Otter, includes braised cremini mushrooms, Swiss cheese, pickled red onions, Dijon sauce, and mushroom au jus. Various french fry sides come heaped with toppings like black cherry bacon jam and bleu cheese.

“Not Burger” options include Nashville “hott” chicken, fish tacos, a pulled pork sandwich, and the Sweet Louisa, an ode to the bygone restaurant with roasted red pepper, pesto, tomato, mozzarella, and arugula on a pressed torpedo roll. There are salads for the virtuous, plus Snoqualmie ice cream shakes and floats as promised.

As for beverage service, patrons can nip airplane-inspired cocktails both classic (Airmail) and original (Engine Oil: whiskey, Anchorhead cold brew, maple syrup, and orange); draft, bottled, and canned beer; and wine. At happy hour, which will run Monday through Friday 3 to 6 p.m. starting next week, discounts apply to the drinks list and a solid selection of bites.

After Friday’s late opening, the restaurant will assume regular hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.